Honouring two Olympians who lost their lives in WW1
Anthony Wilding and Albert Rowland were two New Zealand Olympians whose lives were taken during the First World War.
Born in 1883 in Opawa Christchurch, Anthony Wilding was to become a New Zealand sporting legend. He left New Zealand to study Law at Trinity College in Cambridge, where he tapped into the world of tennis, winning his first title at the Canterbury Championships in 1901. From 1904-1914, Wilding played at every Wimbledon aside from one, winning four consecutive singles titles and four doubles titles.
At the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, Wilding was the fan favourite but was knocked out in the semi-finals, still securing a bronze medal for the Australasian team.
Wilding was not only known for his athleticism but for his charm and dashing looks, being referred to as the ‘manly brand of tennis.’
In 1914, Wilding joined the Royal Marines eventually becoming Captain of the Armoured Car Division. In his last letter, Wilding wrote “For really the first time in seven and a half months, I have a job on hand which is likely to end in gun, I, and the whole outfit being blown to hell. However, if we succeed, we will help our infantry no end.”
At age 31, tennis icon Anthony Wilding was killed in action at the Battle of Aubers Ridge at Neuve Chapelle in northern France on 9th May 1915.
Albert Rowland was born in Christchurch in 1885. In 1907, Rowland won both the one and three mile race walking events at the New Zealand Athletics Champions. In 1908, Rowland was working as an optician in London, and was one of three New Zealanders to join the Australasian team at the London Summer Olympics. Rowland finished fifth in the 3500 metre race walk, two places behind team mate and fellow kiwi Harry Kerr.
Following the Olympics Rowland moved back to New Zealand, married, had a daughter, and established the Wellington Scottish Athletics Club in 1915.
In 1916, Rowland enlisted in the New Zealand expeditionary Force, later becoming the Second Lieutenant of the New Zealand Second Rifle Brigade. On the 23rd July 1918, Rowland was killed by machine gunfire in Marfaux, during the Second Battle of the Marne.
The stories of Anthony Wilding and Albert Rowland remind us of sacrifice and service, and their legacies will continue to inspire generations both on and off the field.
CREDIT: Albert Rowland portrait https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/64788